VOA常速英语:Arctic Ice Melting Faster Than Predicted

词汇讲解：

1. underscore vt. 强调
例句：The boss told her employees she wanted to underscore the importance of arriving at work on time every day.
这位老板对员工说，她想强调每天按时上班的重要性。

2. urgency n. 紧迫;急迫;急事；紧要
例句：The urgency of the situation requires that we should make an immediate decision.
局势紧迫, 需要我们立即做出决定。

3. melt v. (使)融[溶, 熔]化; 溶解
例句：The ice will melt when the sun shines on it.
当太阳照到冰的时候, 它就融化了。

4. underestimate vt. 对…估计不足, 低估
例句：I underestimate the distance, and am exhausted.
没想到这么远, 我可累坏了。

5. substantial adj. 重大的, 重要的
例句：They made substantial changes to the arrangements.
他们在安排上作了重大变动。

6. witness vt. 亲眼看见, 目击
例句：I witnessed the accident.
我亲眼目睹了这场事故。

7. trigger vt. 引发, 引起(连锁反应)
例句：The incident triggered an armed clash.
这起事件触发了一场武装冲突。

8. extent n. 长度, 面积, 范围
例句：The new race track is nearly six miles in extent.
这条新跑道将近六英里长。

9. duration n. 持续的时间
例句：Earthquake damage and duration increased.
地震破坏和持续时间提高了。

10. decline n. 下降, 减少, 衰退
例句：There has been a sharp decline in profits this year.
今年的利润大幅度下降。

11. drastically adv. 大大地;彻底地
例句：We have managed to cut our costs quite drastically.
我们已设法使成本大大地降低了。

12. adopt vt. 正式接受, 通过
例句：T The meeting adopted a resolution.
会议通过了一项议案。